Deck 19: Gastrointestinal Medications

Question 1

A frail 67-year-old nursing-home patient is brought to the clinic for a barium enema.For the next few days following the procedure,he fails to have any bowel movements.The physician will probably order which of the following treatments?

A) Saline laxative
B) Antispasmodic to increase peristalsis
C) Emetic to relieve pressure
D) Stool softener

Answer 1

Saline laxative

Question 2

A patient is diagnosed as having a duodenal ulcer.Which of the following is likely to be the physician's drug of choice?

A) Maalox
B) Gelusil
C) Milk of magnesia
D) Protonix

Answer 2

Protonix

Question 3

A 47-year-old patient has been diagnosed with cholesterol gallstones.She has had increased abdominal pain following fatty meals for the past few weeks.The physician orders an x-ray examination,which reveals radiolucent cholesterol gallstones.The physician will likely do which of the following?

A) Start the patient on chenodiol to dissolve the stones.
B) Do nothing;the pain will disappear.
C) Schedule the patient for emergency surgery.
D) Help the patient plan a low-fat diet and schedule her for surgery if the abdominal pain continues.

Answer 3

Start the patient on chenodiol to dissolve the stones.

Question 4

A patient has a peptic ulcer and is placed on a proton pump inhibitor.The patient asks how long he will have to take this medication before it will start to work.Which of the following represents the nurse's best response to this patient?

A) It is a fast-acting drug and will act in 2 days.
B) Most of these medications take 2 to 3 weeks.
C) In 4 weeks you will see a difference and have complete relief.
D) It will take over 6 to 8 weeks for this drug to take effect.

Question 5

One of the nurse's older adult patients is abusing laxatives.Which of the following would be an appropriate intervention for this patient to help reduce this chronic laxative use and dependency?

A) Advise the patient to take a laxative once weekly.
B) Stop the patient from taking any laxatives.
C) Have the patient take an enema instead of a laxative.
D) Have the patient drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.

Question 6

A patient comes into the clinic complaining of severe abdominal pain that occurs approximately 45 to 60 minutes after eating.The pain also wakes him up at night.When he eats or drinks some milk,he feels better.When he eats Mexican food or drinks alcohol,it feels worse.The physician plans to order some x-ray films.Before the tests are completed,the physician will probably ask the patient to take which of the following medications?

A) An antiflatulent
B) An anticholinergic
C) An antacid
D) Disulfiram

Question 7

A patient complains of constipation.Which of the following high-fiber foods would the nurse instruct the patient to add to his diet? (Select all that apply. )

A) Apple juice
B) Oranges
C) Bran cereals
D) Figs

Question 8

A patient on disulfiram should be cautioned to avoid ingesting alcohol used as an ingredient in certain preparations.Which of the following products have hidden alcohol?

A) Cough syrup
B) Chocolate candy
C) Fruit smoothies
D) Lifesavers

Question 9

A young female patient is diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and is in an acute phase.She is placed on Sal-Tropine (atropine sulfate)at the maximum dose.The patient will best benefit from this medication because of which of the following reasons?

A) It is most effective and has fewer side effects.
B) The actions of this medication give short-term relief.
C) This medication is easy to administer.
D) This drug does not cause dryness of the mouth.

Question 10

Laxatives are classified into five major categories that include which of the following? (Select all that apply. )

A) Bulk-forming agents
B) Lubricants
C) Saline solutions
D) Antispasmodics

Question 11

An elderly patient comes into the clinic.The nurse notes on her routine clinic-visit questionnaire that she has checked frequent use of a stimulant laxative.The nurse should pay close attention to which of the following laboratory values for this patient?

A) Vitamin C level
B) Phosphorus level
C) Vitamin B₁₂ level
D) Potassium level

Question 12

A patient with gastritis asks why the physician put her on an antacid when she has already been eating well.Which of the following would be the best response? (Select all that apply. )

A) "Antacids are used to neutralize the acidity in your stomach between meals."
B) "Although food helps to reduce discomfort by buffering your stomach acid,the antacids will help to neutralize the acid and reduce your pain."
C) "All medications should be taken with an antacid."
D) "Antacids are also used to treat constipation."

Question 13

A patient recovering from alcoholism has been taking disulfiram for a week.On a return visit to the clinic,the patient tells the nurse that he is experiencing flushing and warming of the face.Which of the following may be causing this reaction?

A) The patient may be allergic to the medication.
B) The patient may be putting too much salt in his diet.
C) The patient may still have alcohol in his system.
D) The patient may have no alcohol in his system.

Question 14

The physician orders an antacid for a patient diagnosed with functional dyspepsia.Which of the following other types of medication may be ordered in conjunction with the antacid to treat this patient for stomach discomfort after eating?

A) Antiflatulent
B) Antidiarrheal
C) Anticholinergic
D) Bulk-forming laxative

Question 15

A patient complains to her physician of abdominal bloating and discomfort.She is a known alcoholic and has been treated recently for pancreatitis.Medications that may be used to reduce abdominal discomfort resulting from intestinal spasm,increased motility,and acid production include which of the following?

A) Antiflatulents and antiemetics
B) Antispasmodics and anticholinergics
C) Anticholinergics and histamine H₂ antagonists
D) Antacids and chenodiol

Question 16

A patient is admitted to the hospital inpatient treatment unit for alcohol intoxication.After 2 days without alcohol,he is medically stable enough to begin therapy.He begins individual therapy and group sessions with Alcoholics Anonymous.Prior to discharge,the physician might also start him on which of the following medications?

A) Simethicone
B) Disulfiram
C) Metamucil
D) Milk of magnesia

Question 17

The nurse is instructing an elderly patient about the use of bisacodyl enteric-coated tablets for the treatment of constipation.Which of the following responses is true about this medication?

A) This medication can be chewed.
B) It is easily crushed for persons unable to swallow.
C) It should not be taken with milk.
D) Antacid will help the medication to be digested better.

Question 18

A patient who has had gallbladder surgery finds that in the postoperative period she is bothered by an excess of intestinal gas,producing flatus and bloating.Which of the following would be an appropriate medication for this symptom?

A) Syrup of ipecac
B) Chenodiol
C) Simethicone
D) Disulfiram

Question 19

An alcoholic patient comes to the emergency department after drinking a beer.He has complaints of severe diarrhea,nausea,and vomiting.Which of the following drugs would produce this kind of reaction in the patient?

A) Cephulac (Lactulose)
B) Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
C) Disulfiram (Antabuse)
D) Glycerin (Colace)

Question 20

The nurse is giving discharge instructions to a patient who will be taking an antacid for gastric problems.Which of the following responses is correct about antacids? (Select all that apply. )

A) Antacids must be taken with a lower fiber diet.
B) Antacids should be taken at bedtime.
C) Antacids serve as a gastric buffer.
D) Antacids must be taken between meals.